Boss's Assessment

Yesterday is the 100th day of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III in office. He delivered a report, in which the theme of the event was aptly called "Report kay Boss". I am impressed by the program's theme because at the end of the day, they have not forgotten yet that his countrymen are his boss, as how they called them during his SONA. As I was impressed by this, I cannot ignore the fact that the President's speech was almost dedicated wholly to blame past administrations. I know that the past administration, especially the last one has been stained with too much controversies but this is a report of a subordinate to his superior. In a corporate setting, you do not include blames of your co-workers on your official report, do you? The speech should be reporting to us, the progress of the nation, and what has been accomplished over the oh-so-short 100 days of the President. Yes, I think that the report is not appropriate because I think that 100 days are too short for the President to accomplish any major thing worthy of reporting. I would also like to suggest to the President to caution or better yet, look for another speechwriter. His speeches to the nation from his Inauguration to the SONA, to his 100th day report was full of accusations and blames of the previous administration. As truthful as these things can be, I do not think blaming other people when you are the one in power now will help the President nor the President's image. Do not keep on blaming other people, this is a report of YOUR progress as the new OIC of the nation. We do not need to hear bow bad the previous presidents were. Our concern is YOU and the now, and the future, or at least the next 6 years. Your blaming past administrations will only make you indifferent from the other administrations. So please, stop.

Although, I do not like the come out of the "reporting" by the President yesterday, what of the same tone of his speech, the vague answers given, and the "corny" answers, I also do not agree of the interruption did by the students. It is but shameful to yell your sentiments, in a private place, not your place, and to the President. I believe these students were enrolled in schools so that they learn how to be a better person. How come they do not know how to respect when it is one of the very first lessons that you will learn in school? Is it very cool for people to know that you do not have respect? Are you proud that your name, and your school name are published in the media and it is not because you have done something very worthy of your school and your parents' pride? I think you should have at least behaved yourself instead of interrupting and shouting at the venue.

The problem is this, no matter what kind of administration we have, seems like there are some people who are always in the opposition. Those who do not even know what they are fighting for anymore. Those who are even before y0u act, already have their objections. If this will be the case, then how can this nation be a better one? How can the country's politics improve? If we will always be on the other side of the court no matter what, will this help in resolving conflicts among the Filipinos? How does being vigilant turn into being over-vigilant? There's nothing wrong in being vigilant. There's nothing wrong either in being careful. This country has already seen bad to worse days of its existence. This country has already gone through too many problems and yet it has always managed to survive. Nobody wants to go through "hell" all over again. But let us be fair and patient as we should be careful and protective of our country. Giving the new leader a little faith is not that difficult, is it?

Opposition Re-position?

It has always been a battleground. A cockfight. A war. War of words, of infomercials, of singing, of dancing, of monologues, and of celebrities that would circus around just to "market" the product. I mean, the candidate. This country-wide circus is popularly known as the election.

It is already November and the clamour for election advantage has begun. In fact one of the wars has already begun. The war of informercials. At this time, even if you only turn on your television late at night, it is fairly impossible that you won't see any politician waving, looking sad, handling this and that... Oh well, the circus has opened its doors.

Now that the election is just a few months away, the show has now gone funnier. For the past months, the Administration vs. Opposition war has been noisy. It has been a riot. And it has been a debate of never-ending. It is as if the members of each are mortal enemies. Some of their rebuttal has even become personal. The arguments just do not end. The fire between them has grown stronger and has forced them apart. The endless accusations, cases, and the rallies may it be peaceful or deadly. All of this are part of the political arena. It is like both parties are in some kind of grudge towards each other and that grudge won't be cease anymore.

That was before.

Since the election period is approaching, the wind has changed its course. A few weeks ago, I heard a news that one of the administration's greatest critic may be open to the possibility of teaming up with the Administration's bet on the 2010 elections. Although I haven't heard of any confirmations yet, I am still hoping that this will stay only as a rumor. I understand that this maybe because of his ambition but I think he is going too far from his "principle". The principle that he would always fight for before, as an Administration critic. He has always been at the side of the opposition. I even had a chance to listen to his speech when I was still in college. And although the topic is of non-politics, the speech has a part of it that talks about it. Through the course, as far as I can remember, his name is almost equal to opposition. Refusing to side with the Administration. Even if his reason is his ambition, and ambition is bigger than politics, I still believe that principle is way bigger than ambition. Where would your ambition take you if you cannot take a stand? How can you fulfill a very powerful responsibility if you would eventually forsake your principle inspite of the public's trust? I am not a member of the opposition but I admired him before for not being scared to tell the truth and to seek for it. I respect him for his gift of making speeches and statements that of great patriotism. And now, with this news, I feel betrayed. Betrayed that the man who I looked up to before for his principles, is now risking that trust that we gave him. I say we because I know that many people also admired him for his courage to expose the truth. To go against the most powerful person in the country. And he said it was because of his love for this country. I feel betrayed. And if this news finally materializes, then I would just accept that I was betrayed.